The
theatre was abuzz with conversation as the first years awaited the
start of their Orientation. Nearly all the chairs upholstered in red
velvet were filled by an excited by a young man or woman, all talking
and laughing with one another, the din they created loud enough that
without a microphone no one would be able to be heard.

"Ilana,
remind me again why I'm here?" Alex said, after looking out at
the horde of people waiting for the show to start.

"Because
you couldn't resist this kind of introduction to the froshies. And
because you are quite attached to your title as most popular person
at BU," The green-eyed girl replied, raising one eyebrow. "Are
you having second thoughts?"

"It
just seems like a waste of my time and a bother," Alex said, black
eyes sweeping the assembled students. "They'll find out who I am
eventually."

Ilana
shrugged, causing her tumble of brilliant red hair to fall off her
shoulders. "You're the one who agreed to it."

"That's
mostly because I wanted to see if there were anymore of our kind
here, especially anyone like me. The council's been suspiciously
quiet the last little while and I don't trust it. I wouldn't put
it past Kale to try and slip in one of his creatures to either keep
an eye on me or bring me in."

The dryad
frowned. "He wouldn't actually try and force you out would he?"

"If he
thought he could do it he would. But he knows I'd put up a fight
and likely kill whoever he sent. No, he won't try to physically
remove me but he will try other methods."

Shaking
her head, Ilana looked up and then smiled slightly. "You're on,"
she told Alex.

The
chestnut haired vampire sighed and then relaxed, putting his most
charming smile on as he strode onto the stage. He caught the
microphone the student council president threw him and swept his gaze
over the assembled first-years, giving the impression he met every
pair of eyes and smiled only at that individual. "Well I'm not
really a member of the student council body or even a member of any
sports team or club. My name's Alex Donovan and you'll probably
see me all over," He told the audience, walking back and forth,
still smiling at them all, as the bright lights overhead blazed down
onto him. "I have somewhat of a reputation here and almost everyone
knows who I am. I guess they decide to give you guys a heads up."
Here he winked before continuing. "So please feel free to come and
introduce yourself and if you're looking for a party come talk to
me. I'll know where and when it's being held. Now I'll turn you
over to people who actually know what they're doing and have a
reason to be up here on stage. It's been a pleasure."

Finished,
Alex tossed the mike back to the student council president and walked
off stage.

"That
went well," Ilana observed, indicating the crowd who were giving
Alex a standing ovation.

"It was
pointless and a waste of my time. I couldn't see anything with
those lights in my eyes and now I'm going to have to deal with
being harassed by first-years. I hate this place sometimes."

Alex ran
a hand over his face. "Kale. I always hope that this time
he'll give up but he never does. It's like everything good in my
life was sucked out after meeting him."

Ilana
reached out and pulled Alex into a hug. "It'll get better," She
whispered. "One day something will happen and all the good you've
been missing will return three-fold."

"No it
won't. God hates me. My life so far is proof enough of that."

"Don't
give up. You'll be happy again. And in the meantime you have us."

"But
the others will age and eventually die," Alex whispered back.

"I'll
still be here."

Alex
looked up at her and couldn't help but smile. "No. You'll
eventually get so frustrated with all of us that you'll find some
dryad-less tree and lock yourself in and never come out again."

Ilana
laughed and released him. "Don't tempt me. You seriously need to
find another girl to add to our group. I'm getting sick of all
Theron's sexist remarks."

"Well
what do you suggest? We have all the main groups represented. We
don't want to create an imbalance."

"We
don't have a normie," Ilana pointed out.

Now Alex
laughed. "True but what normie could take being with all of us not
to mention dealing with what we are? I don't think there's any
normal human like that anywhere in the world, let alone here."

"Well
then you'd better find some other girl to add to our group or I'll
go on strike."

Grinning
at her, Alex said "Fine then. I'll be on the lookout for a girl
to corrupt for you. Satisfied?"

"Immensely.
Now let's go. Kayne says he's got the water balloons ready and
Aiden should have the fireworks by now. Let's go welcome the
froshies properly."

"And
people say I'm the evil one."

Chuckling
the pair ran outside to prepare their special surprise for the new
students.

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